Byodo-in Temple in Oahu, a Japanese icon in America?!

2018 is a big year for Japanese Americans living in Hawaii. 150 years ago, the very first Japanese laborers moved to Hawaii and ever since, Japan and Hawaii have had a strong tie. Today, many Japanese people dream of going to Hawaii to see the breath-taking beauty of the islands, especially for their honeymoon. However, Hawaii is more than its beautiful beaches. It has a rich culture and history, and those Japanese immigrants also became part of the fabric of Hawaii. For this reason, there are several temples and shrines throughout the islands. One such example is Oahu’s Byodo-in Temple.

What is the Byodo-in Temple?

Japan’s iconic Byodo-in Temple in Uji, Kyoto is one of the country’s most culturally significant temples.

History and Spirituality

The original Byodo-in Temple was built by Japanese aristocrats over 1,000 years ago and during those 1,000 years, Uji saw its fair share of war. While the fire of war destroyed many other temples built around the same time, parts of the temple persevere to this day. The surviving architecture alone holds a considerable amount of cultural value, but the significance of the temple goes even deeper.

The most important building at Byodo-in Temple still stands to this day, the Phoenix Hall.

Byodoin Temple: Phoenix Hall “Hooudo” Uji, Japan

The Phoenix Hall was built just right around the time called Mappo. During this time, Japanese people believed Buddha’s teaching would fade away, thus preventing them from going to heaven. Japanese aristocrats painstakingly sculpted the Phoenix Hall and the gardens around it, to resemble Buddhist heaven, in hopes of keeping it close to them. In this way, the Byodo-in Temple and its Phoenix Hall played a part in preserving Japan’s spirituality.

Equality

The “byodo” of Byodo-in means “equality” connoting that the teachings of the Buddha are equally beneficial to people of all walks of life. The presence of Hawaii’s Byodo-in Temple however, is not limited to the teachings of Buddha. It also invokes the very spirit of “equality”, as Japanese people in Hawaii struggled to obtain equality; from the very first laborers all the way through WWII.

Byodo-in Temple in Oahu

Byodo-in Temple is a bit away from the city center and even though it is a popular tourist spot, it feels noticeably tranquil.

Graves: as you enter, will come across the graveyard.

Entrance to Oahu’s Byodo-in Temple

If you think that since this temple is only a replica of the one in Uji, it isn’t at all accurate, you are very mistaken! Though it is noticeably smaller than the one in Uji, Hawaii’s Byodo-in pays careful attention even the minor details of the original’s construction. I think also think it complements the Kolau Mountain Chain behind of it, creating an almost mystic atmosphere.

Never seen this in Japanese temples…hmmThat’s a lot of carp!

They even have a replica of the famous bonsho or temple bell. While Japanese temples always have bells, most of the time the temple does not allow people to ring them. Here however, you are free to do so. I guess you can ring it whenever you like, I felt I should do so before visiting the main hall, as it is the custom in Japanese temples!

Bydo-in Temple’s bonsho, or bell. Be sure to get a close look. The bell of Uji’s the Byodo-in is one of the most beautiful in Japan. The engravings and moldings are very similar to the original.Uji Byodo-in Temple. This bell is also a replica of the original bell. To see the original bell, visit the temple’s treasure hall.

Main Hall

One of the biggest differences I noticed between the two temples is that the main hall of the one in Oahu is made from concrete, not wood. I guess the extra humidity would be harder on the wood here? Even so, the architecture of the main hall is on point with its counterpart.

Japanese temples often use a variety of specific architect styles. The Byodo-in Temple in Oahu adheres to the same style as the original in Uji.Katomado: this style of bell shape window is a characteristic of Zenshuyo architecture used in Japanese temples.

Once you step in the main hall, you will see the 3 meter tall statue of Amida Nyorai–just a bit smaller than the one in Uji. All temples in Japan have Buddha statues as main object of worship, and here in Byodo-in Temple, Amida Nyorai is the one.

Why he is so important? Remember, the builders of the original Byodo-in Temple feared the Buddhist end of days (Mappo). Amida Nyorai is the savior at the end of the world, and it is Amida Nyorai who guides people to the heaven.

Hawaii’s Byodo-in Temple too us by complete surprise! It was so interesting to visit, not just a Japanese temple, but a replica of such a very famous Japanese temple. We were glad to see such careful attention to detail all through out the temple and if you are ever in Oahu, we strongly recommend stopping by!

Information: Byodo-in Temple in Oahu

Address

47-200 Kahekili Hwy, Kanaohe, HI

Access

Byodo-in Temple Hawaii is on the west side (the windward side) of Oahu Island. From Downtown Waikiki you can get there via # 65 city bus, but it may take more than an hour to get there. Byodo-in Temple is located in the Valley of the Temples. If you take the city bus, you may have to walk ten minutes from the bus stop to get to the temple as it is a bit away from the gate.

Hours

8AM-4PM (closed on Sunday)

Admission Fee

$5.00

Note

In our instance, we signed up for an island tour of Oahu, which included a stop at Byodo-in Temple.

About Us

We are Japanese husband and American wife couple living in Japan.

Our Kansai Odyssey began back in 2017. From a mutual passion for Japan, we began exploring Osaka from the modern to the ancient. From there we’ve been expanding our adventures all over the Kansai region!